Sunday, June 7, 2009

What We Crave: Community & Connection

Recently after speaking at a large women’s conference on the topic of life balance and living life from the inside-out, I was approached by a woman in her late thirties, her eyes were filled with tears.

She shared that while sitting in the audience and hearing me talk about building a support network, she had a light bulb moment: even though she attended a monthly girls’ night out, a book club meeting and was involved in her neighborhood association, what she is really missing is a deeper sense of connection and community with others.

I hear this a lot. From men and women all over the world, including my coaching clients, at talks I give around the country, in workshops at corporations/organizations and from moms on the playground.

We’re moving so fast, navigating the demands of a 24/7 world, expected to juggle so much and are socialized to be mostly surface in our day-to-day interactions, that many of us are left starving for what really nourishes us: heart-felt connection, dialogue around what matters most, the chance to be heard and validated and the opportunity to connect with others who are as interested in our “inner life” as our “outer life.”

This is why I started the first Personal Renewal Group for women in 2003 (read more). I believe that when we have the opportunity to connect with one another on a deeper level, in an empowering, structured environment that is focused on helping us define and create lives that truly nurture/nourish us, society as a whole begins to shift and move in a more positive direction.

Where is your soft place to fall? Who do you go to, to share what’s in your heart and on your mind? What resources/groups support and empower you? Where do you feel connected to a larger community? Where can you show up warts and all (as my mentor says) and be the “real” you?

For me (and now thousands of women around the globe), it’s when we’re in a self-renewal circle with other women. I invite you to join me this Thursday evening, June 11th --details below--for a free Personal Renewal Group sampler class and explore if starting/joining one of these groups is for you (sorry guys, women only). If not, no worries, you can still benefit from the powerful self-care tips/strategies you'll hear in the class.

I believe we were not meant to live in isolation. And, that the future of our planet will be largely dependent on our ability to create and participate in meaningful, intentional community with one another.

P.S. Join me in a virtual living room to experience a taste of a Personal Renewal Group (PRG) for women and learn about the Power of Self-Care. Register today for our free June 11th PRG Sampler class—it’s interactive, but you’re welcome to just drop in and listen. There is a “mute” option if you're in a noisy household :).

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey to life balance and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly. Subscribe here. For more information on Renee’s upcoming events, click here.

Photo: Renee Peterson Trudeau--ripening blueberries on a Olympic Peninsula berry farm in WA state. Did you know they grew this closely together?

Renee Trudeau, author/speaker/coach

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About Renee Peterson Trudeau

Renee is a 47-year old entrepreneur, community-builder, life balance coach/consultant, author/speaker, wife and mom to a ten-year old son. She is passionate about living inside-out—and teaching others to do the same. She and her family live in Austin, TX.

Renee began her blog, Live Inside Out, to chronicle her very real and personal journey to how she finds balance and harmony in the everyday.

She is president of Austin-based Career Strategists, a nationally-recognized career and small business coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping professionals and entrepreneurs successfully navigate their career and life path and Renee Trudeau & Associates.

Her unique approach to career and life management has been featured in numerous publications, including US News & World Report, Working Mother, Good Housekeeping, Yogi Times, The New York Times and American Way and in numerous broadcast, print and online business media.

You can learn more about Renee’s background and how her path has impacted who she is today.